REAL TALK: Mental Health Sounds Like This | Episode 1: Music as Medicine with Iliana Fernandez

Welcome to the very first episode of REAL TALK: Mental Health Sounds Like This — a podcast where creatives, leaders, and changemakers get real about navigating mental health, purpose, and healing while making an impact in the world.

In this episode, hosts Emma G (singer/songwriter, TEDx speaker, empowerment coach) and Rawinia Judson (life & leadership coach, author) sit down with Iliana Radovina, a music therapist who explores the power of music as a tool for somatic healing, nervous system regulation, and storytelling.

We discuss: - The science + soul of music therapy - How sound helps move emotions through the body - The courage it takes to share your story - Why safe spaces are essential to healing - How creativity connects us to our identity and power

This is a space for healing, self-expression, and truth-telling.

👉 Subscribe for future episodes 👉 Comment below with what resonated most 👉 Follow us on Instagram: [@emmagmusic | @rawiniajudson]

Disclaimer: This podcast discusses mental health and may be sensitive for some listeners. If you're struggling, please reach out: 🇺🇸 US: Call/text 988 or text HOME to 741741 🇳🇿 NZ: Call/text 1737 or Lifeline at 0800 543 354

What is REAL TALK? REAL TALK: Mental Health Sounds Like This is where high-performing humans, creative leaders, and changemakers get honest about the messy, beautiful, and brave work of staying mentally, emotionally, and spiritually well while doing meaningful work in the world.

Hosted by award-winning singer/songwriter, author, and youth empowerment coach Emma G, and life and leadership coach Rawinia Judson, this podcast is a space for candid conversations about the realities behind resilience. From navigating burnout to healing through music, embracing vulnerability to redefining success — nothing is off limits.

Emma and Rawinia first bonded over early morning CrossFit sessions in New Zealand, where carpool chats quickly turned into soul-deep sisterhood. Now living on opposite sides of the world (Emma in the U.S., Rawinia in Canada), they're teaming up to bring you a podcast rooted in realness, laughter, and the deep belief that your story matters.

Each episode features intimate, unscripted conversations with guests who are courageously rewriting the narrative around mental health — one story, one strategy, one moment at a time.

This is not therapy. This is not perfection. This is REAL TALK. And this is what mental health sounds like.

Disclaimer: This show may discuss topics related to mental health that could be sensitive for some listeners. If you're struggling, please know you are not alone. Support is available.

New Zealand: Call or text 1737 or Lifeline at 0800 543 354

U.S.: Call or text 988 (National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 This podcast is not a substitute for professional care.